LeBron James showed Victor Wembanyama exactly why he is considered one of the best to ever do it when the basketball legend and the new kid on the block faced off for the very first time on Friday night.
However, in the end it was Spurs rookie Wembanyama who had the last laugh as San Antonio claimed a 129-115 victory over LeBron’s Lakers at AT&T Center.
Late in the second quarter of Friday’s game LeBron gave the 19-year-old a taste of his greatness when he pulled out a high-arching three-pointer on the stepback which flew straight over his younger rival.
Though in the end that piece of individual brilliance was ultimately in vain, as Wembanyama went on to register 13 points and 15 rebounds in an eventual victory for the Spurs.
Devin Vassell also had 36 points as the hosts snapped an 18-game losing skid.
LEBRON 3 OVER WEMBANYAMApic.twitter.com/XellvkH5da
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 16, 2023
LeBron James showed Victor Wembanyama exactly why he is considered one of the best to ever do it when they faced off for the very first time on Friday night
But Wembanyama had the last laugh as the Spurs claimed a 129-115 victory over the Lakers
LeBron scored 23 points and 10 rebounds on a disappointing night for his team in San Antonio
LeBron himself scored 23 points and 10 rebounds in his return after missing Wednesday’s game with a bruised left calf.
Anthony Davis sat out with a hip injury after scoring 37 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ 122-119 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday. Los Angeles was also without D´Angelo Russell (migraine) and Cam Reddish (right knee soreness).
The victory was San Antonio’s first since beating Phoenix on Nov. 2. It was the longest losing streak in franchise history, topping the 16-game skid last season.
The NBA In-Season Tournament champion Lakers were playing their third game in four nights.
Keldon Johnson had 17 points and Zach Collins added 16 points for the Spurs.
The Lakers tried to counter Davis’ absence with a balanced scoring effort. Austin Reaves had 22 points and Rui Hachimura added 20.
San Antonio raced to a double-digit lead four minutes into the game and had a 49-24 lead on Doug McDermott´s 3-pointer three minutes into the second quarter.
That 25-point lead quickly faded as the Lakers went on a 38-17 run early in the second quarter. Christian Wood pushed Wembanyama aside for a layup that cut the Spurs´ lead to 66-62 with 19 seconds left in the first half.
Wood’s dunk capped an 8-0 run 88-80 with four minutes left in the third quarter.
